TFC open up MLS season with 2-2 draw in San Jose

The Major League Soccer season kicked off on Saturday with Toronto FC travelling to San Jose to face off against the Earthquakes.

Toronto were without captain Michael Bradley who has been sidelined with an ankle injury and new signing Pablo Piatti due to a muscular injury. Greg Vanney lined up his players in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Westburg in between the sticks; Morrow, Mavinga, Gonzalez, and Auro in defence. Shaffelburg and Endoh on each wing; Osorio and Delgado in the middle. And Alex Pozeulo slotting in behind Alitdore who led the line up top.

The Match

San Jose had the first big chance of the game when left back Lima cut around Endoh to fire a shot on target, but Westburg was able to get down quickly and decisively to parry the ball away.

In the 38th minute Altidore was brought down in the box as he attempted to get on the end of a corner. As a result, referee Armando Villarreal awarded a penalty to Toronto. Alejandro Pozuelo stepped up the spot and sent San Jose goalkeeper Vega the wrong way as he buried his shot into the bottom right corner. TFC would take this one goal lead with them into half-time.

TFC got things going early in the second half as Pozuelo split the San Jose defence by playing a ball through to Endoh. He then had his shot blocked by Vega. However, half-time substitute Richie Laryea was quick to get on the end of the rebound and put it passed Vega to give the Reds a two-goal lead.

It took only two minutes for San Jose to halve that lead when Espinoza played a ball into the area and Rios slid in to tip it into the back of the net, passed a stunned Westburg.

The score line remained 2-1 at the end of regular time, but San Jose was awarded a free kick just before the third and final minute of stoppage time expired. San Jose centre back Alanis curled the kick into the top left corner in the 95th minute to snatch a point away from the visitors, as it ended shortly after that at two goals apiece.